Dictionary

1joke

noun \ˈjōk\

: something said or done to cause laughter

: a brief story with a surprising and funny ending

: someone or something that is not worth taking seriously

Full Definition of JOKE

1
a :  something said or done to provoke laughter; especially :  a brief oral narrative with a climactic humorous twist
b (1) :  the humorous or ridiculous element in something
(2) :  an instance of jesting :  kidding <can't take a joke>
c :  practical joke
d :  laughingstock
2
:  something not to be taken seriously :  a trifling matter <consider his skiing a joke — Harold Callender> —often used in negative constructions <it is no joke to be lost in the desert>
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Origin of JOKE

Latin jocus; perhaps akin to Old High German gehan to say, Sanskrit yācati he asks
First Known Use: 1670

2joke

verb

: to say things that are meant to cause laughter : to make jokes about someone or something

jokedjok·ing

Full Definition of JOKE

intransitive verb
:  to make jokes :  jest
transitive verb
:  to make the object of a joke :  kid
jok·ing·ly \ˈjō-kiŋ-lē\ adverb

First Known Use of JOKE

1670

Related to JOKE

JOKE Defined for Kids

1joke

noun \ˈjōk\

Definition of JOKE for Kids

1
:  something said or done to cause laughter or amusement <They hid his shoes as a joke.>
2
:  a very short story with a funny ending that is a surprise <The boys sat around telling jokes.>
3
:  something not worthy of being taken seriously <Her excuse was a joke.>

2joke

verb
jokedjok·ing

Definition of JOKE for Kids

1
:  to say or do something to cause laughter or amusement
2
:  to make funny remarks <The children joked about my cooking.>

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Next Word in the Dictionary: jokebookPrevious Word in the Dictionary: jo–jotteAll Words Near: joke
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